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Meningitis: Damien Martyn’s fight in intensive care reveals the deadly risks of this brain infection; Symptoms, causes and treatment #Meningitis #Damien #Martyns #fight #intensive #care #reveals #deadly #risks #brain #infection #Symptoms #treatment

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Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn has been hospitalized and placed in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis, according to cricket.com.au, citing the Australian Associated Press (AAP).

The 54-year-old, recognized as one of Australia’s best ODI finishers, is being treated in hospital, with wishes from his teammates, fans and the cricket community around the world.

“I am saddened to learn of Damien’s illness. The best wishes from everyone at Cricket Australia and the wider cricket community are with him at this time,” Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said in a statement, according to cricket.com.au.
Adam Gilchrist, a close friend and former teammate of Martyn’s with Australia and Western Australia, confirmed on behalf of Martyn’s family that the 2003 World Cup winner was undergoing treatment in hospital.

“He’s getting the best treatment possible and (Martyn’s partner) Amanda and his family know a lot of people are sending him their prayers and best wishes,” Gilchrist was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.


Martyn’s former Australian teammate and former Australian coach Darren Lehmann sent his best wishes to Martyn on social media after his illness was announced.
“Lots of love and prayers for Damien Martyn. Stay strong and fight the legend,” Lehmann wrote on

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. Inflammation is usually caused by an infection, whether viral, bacterial or, more rarely, fungal.

Bacterial meningitis is the most serious form and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Viral meningitis tends to be less serious and often goes away without specific treatment.

Fungal and parasitic meningitis are rare but can occur in people with weakened immune systems.

This illness can affect anyone, but it is especially serious in infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

Common symptoms of meningitis

It is crucial to recognize meningitis early. Some common signs include:

  • Severe headache
  • Stiff neck
  • High fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Light sensitivity
  • Confusion or difficulty concentrating
  • Rash in some cases (especially with bacterial meningitis)

In babies and young children, symptoms may also include irritability, poor feeding, and unusual sleepiness.

Causes of meningitis and risk factors

Meningitis is usually caused by bacterial or viral infections, which can be spread through:

  • Close contact with an infected person
  • Respiratory droplets (coughing or sneezing)
  • Contaminated food or water (rare for some types)

Certain groups are more at risk, including:

  • University students living in dormitories
  • Military recruits
  • People with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems

Vaccination plays a crucial role in the prevention of bacterial meningitis, particularly the meningococcal, pneumococcus and Hib vaccines.

Meningitis Treatment and Recovery

Bacterial meningitis is treated urgently with intravenous antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Delays in treatment can lead to serious complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, or death.

Viral meningitis usually resolves on its own, with supportive care such as rest, fluids, and pain relief.

Hospitalization may be necessary in severe cases, as seen with Damien Martyn, who is receiving intensive care. Early detection and prompt treatment greatly improve the chances of recovery.

Key takeaways

  • Meningitis is a serious infection of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord.
  • Early symptoms include severe headache, neck stiffness, fever and nausea.
  • Bacterial meningitis is life-threatening and requires urgent hospital care.
  • Vaccination is a key preventive measure against several types of meningitis.
  • Public awareness is crucial to ensure early detection and treatment.

Martyn, known as one of the game’s great stroke-makers, finished his Test career with 4406 runs in 67 matches at an average of 46.37, with 13 centuries. In ODIs, he scored 5,346 runs in 208 matches at an average of 40.80, with five centuries and 37 half-centuries.

Notably, he was named Player of the Series when Australia last won an away series in India, finishing as top scorer in four of Australia’s eight innings during the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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News & Knowledge / Facts

Met Office reveals all parts of England set to receive 5cm of snow within hours #Met #Office #reveals #parts #England #set #receive #5cm #snow #hours

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According to the forecaster, 1 to 2 cm of snow could fall in most areas, but some areas could see up to 5 cm of fall.

The Met Office has revealed all the areas of England that could receive 5cm of snow within a few hours.

The forecaster has issued several ‘snow and ice’ warnings for parts of the UK from tomorrow (January 1) until Sunday (January 4).

Parts of northern Scotland received warnings every day from Thursday to Sunday.

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However, on Friday 2 January, large areas of England and Wales will be under a yellow ‘snow and ice’ alert, including Birmingham and the West Midlands.

The Met Office says an “area of ​​snow sleet” is expected to move south-east across England and Wales that day.

The arrival of winter should see around 1 to 2 cm of snow fall in most regions.

However, some areas could see up to 5cm of snow falling, including those in north-west England and north Wales.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “An area of ​​sleet and snow is expected to move south-east across parts of England and Wales, lasting around two to three hours in one location.

“Where snow falls, 1 or 2cm is likely for some and perhaps up to 5cm of snow possible in a few places, particularly on the higher ground in North Wales and North West England.

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“Patches of ice will also develop quickly as the sleet and sleet dissipates.”



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Middle East

Palestinian family left homeless after settler seizes cave in Masafer Yatta #Palestinian #family #left #homeless #settler #seizes #cave #Masafer #Yatta

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Hebron / PNN /

 In the village of Sarura in the Masafer Yatta area, south of Hebron, the struggle to remain on the land and resist occupation and settler expansion is a daily battle. For Palestinian residents, survival, resilience and attachment to their land are not slogans but lived realities shaped by repeated settler attacks, land seizures and displacement.

Tilal Al-Amour sits with several members of his family in a makeshift shelter with no roof, its walls built from worn-out car tyres to shield them from the winter cold. At night, they gather around an open fire for warmth, keeping watch against potential settler assaults carried out under the protection of Israeli soldiers. Their ordeal began after a settler seized the cave where the family had lived, leaving them homeless.

According to Al-Amour, the settler took advantage of the family’s absence while they were attending a wedding. He arrived with his wife, occupied the cave and prevented the family from returning or living there.

With a few words, Al-Amour sums up his family’s tragedy: “They took the land and the people. Nothing is left — no trees, no stones. People are forced to live outside under trees. They beat the elderly and spared no one.”

Al-Amour said he was shocked to find the settler inside his cave when he returned 14 days ago. “He stood there with his wife and stopped us from coming close, saying the cave was now his,” Al-Amour said. For nearly 16 days, the family has been living in the open after Israeli soldiers demolished a tent he had erected and confiscated the family’s belongings, telling them they were not allowed to remain in the area under what he described as false security claims.

During the day, the family stays outdoors, sitting beneath trees. At night, they return to the tyre-walled shelter, lighting fires to keep warm. They divide themselves into shifts, with some sleeping while others stay awake to protect the family from settler attacks.

Al-Amour compared their current situation with life in the cave, where everything they needed was available. “We had a water well, electricity and trees. Everything was there. We cooked on fire and lived together — my father, his wife, my wife and my children,” he said. Some of his children attend school, while others are university students. “Now we are exposed to the open air, and the army prevents us from even putting up a tent. The moment we placed two wooden poles; Israeli soldiers came and removed them.”

He questioned how the army could prevent his family from erecting a tent while allowing a settler to seize their cave. “We own this cave and have documents proving it,” he said.

Sarura and other villages and hamlets in Masafer Yatta have faced an intensified campaign since the 1980s, led by settlers under Israeli military protection, aimed at forcing residents to leave their land to expand settlements and establish new outposts. In 2022, Israeli forces demolished Palestinian homes and forcibly displaced residents under security pretexts.

In the summer of 2025, Israeli forces evacuated the nearby hamlet of Khallat Al-Dabaa after demolishing all homes and caves and expelling its residents in favour of settlers and colonial interests, declaring the area a closed military zone. Hundreds of farmers were also denied access to grazing lands and crops, stripping many of their right to live with dignity, safety and security.

This story was produced as part of the Qarib projest, implemented by the French Media Development Agency (CFI) in partnership with and funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).



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United States

A Brooklyn Park restaurant has closed after agents with Immigrations and Customs…

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A Brooklyn Park restaurant has closed after agents with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested one of its staff members. As of Monday, Dec. 15, a sign in the window of Crumbs and Coffee says it’s “temporarily closed for remodeling.”



#Brooklyn #Park #restaurant #closed #agents #Immigrations #Customs..

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